More people than you may imagine struggle to swallow food and drink and it is not only elderly people who suffer. The condition is called dysphagia. It ranges from discomfort in swallowing – which may lead to poor nutrition or dehydration, to difficulty in swallowing – which may cause food and drink to go down […]
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Dysphagia refers to the difficulty or discomfort in swallowing food or liquids. The reasons for dysphagia can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. As a guide, some common signs of dysphagia can include: Increased difficulty in swallowing: A person may experience a worsening of their ability to initiate or complete
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Dysphagia, or swallowing issues, can affect individuals of all ages, although it is more commonly observed in older adults and those with certain health conditions. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) estimates that dysphagia affects around 8% of the global population. However, it’s important to note that the prevalence of dysphagia can vary significantly
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Many of us do not understand the difference between dysphasia and dysphagia. They are two different terms that refer to distinct conditions related to language and swallowing, respectively, and they have different underlying causes. As outlined below, dysphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand and use language, while dysphagia refers
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Even if you are not moving around much, it is still important to consume enough calories each day to keep you body healthy. As our page on ‘How many calories a day do I need?’ outlines, a significant lack of calories can cause poor memory, concentration and brain functioning, and it can cause muscle wastage,
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You may think that if you are not as active as you used to be you don’t need to eat much. However, calories are important to maintain a healthy body whatever your level of activity. A calorie shortfall may, in fact, further reduce levels of activity and mobility. The type of food you eat can
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Losing weight from swallowing issues can be experienced when sufficient calories are not eaten on a regular basis. This can cause weakness and reduce the ability to live an independent life. It can also be distressing and further reduce the ability to eat. The European culture has often been centred on people being slim. But
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In everyday use the terms Dietitian and Nutritionist are often interchanged but there is a significant difference in their work. Crucially, only dietitians can recommend special diets for an individual’s specific medical condition. Dietitians Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and
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Drinking enough fluid is not only about keeping the body cool. I first learnt about the importance of drinking enough fluid when dad was admitted to hospital after a fall. The doctors explained that dehydration can cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls. Getting someone you care to drink enough fluid can be a
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It may become more difficult to swallow medicine in either a tablet or liquid form as the issue of swallowing deteriorates. This is a difficult subject and one that can be very traumatic. We want to do the best for those we care for. If it is becoming a challenge, then it is important to
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